Lead Public Policy Specialist (North America)

Organization
Wikimedia Foundation
Location
Remote
Job Type
Full-time
Deadline for Applications
02/28/2023
How to Apply
https://grnh.se/088cd5451us
Where to Apply
https://grnh.se/088cd5451us
Tags
Full-time, Remote

The Wikimedia Foundation is looking for a Lead Public Policy Specialist for North America to join our Global Advocacy Team. As the Lead Public Policy Specialist, you will be responsible for increasing Wikimedia’s ability to influence public policy debates primarily in the United States and Canada, and to promote a legal framework that supports free knowledge. In this role, you will expand Wikimedia’s public policy network and relationships, deepen the team’s collaboration with affiliates and volunteers in the Wikimedia Movement, be in charge of direct outreach to lawmakers and agencies, engage in public policy processes, and monitor current developments in the US to help the Public Policy Team promote people’s ability to participate in knowledge online.

You are responsible for:

Increase Wikimedia’s ability to shape public policy for the internet and free knowledge in North America
Build Wikimedia’s profile in Washington DC and foster the Foundation’s visibility among lawmakers, Congressional staff, and within relevant agencies.
Build relationships with public policy advocacy allies in Canada and collaborate with Wikimedia community members in Canada in educating Canadian policymakers about the importance of protecting free knowledge communities.
Independently and in collaboration with other members of the Global Advocacy Team and in concert with external partners, influence legislative, regulatory, and other discussions on key issues.
Develop proposals, including educational, legislative and regulatory initiatives, to support free knowledge.
Monitor public policy developments and proposed laws that affect freedom of expression, privacy, and participation in knowledge, so the Team can determine how they may impact the Wikimedia projects and users.
Build Wikimedia’s network and relationships with civil society, industry, and other relevant stakeholders engaged in public policy in the US.
Support the regional and international Wikimedia communities in their advocacy work on critical public policy issues and educational campaigns.
With the other members of Wikimedia’s Global Advocacy Team, refine and implement the Wikimedia Foundation’s policy positions and international advocacy strategy, particularly in the context of Transatlantic and Inter-American policy dialogues and treaty processes.
Write about how different policy issues affect people’s ability to participate in free knowledge and the Wikimedia projects specifically.
Present our policy initiatives to lawmakers and regulators or other influencers; brief and educate key Foundation and Wikimedia movement constituencies.
Advise other teams in the Wikimedia Foundation on public policy developments relating to the accomplishment of the Foundation’s mission.
Skills and Experience:

Graduate degree in law, public policy or related fields and excellent academic credentials. (Equivalent experience will be considered.)
4-5 years of experience working or engaging with U.S. Congress and other North American governmental bodies.
Experience working on FISA, surveillance, and consumer privacy legislation.
Experience working on issues related to Section 230.
Demonstrated understanding of intellectual property issues.
Successful track record of developing and executing advocacy campaigns, particularly focused on U.S. Congress or relevant agencies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail. Ability to act as a spokesperson for Wikimedia on matters of public policy.
Qualities that are important to us:

Demonstrated understanding of the relationship between international human rights standards, U.S. law, self-regulation, and emerging “soft law”.
Experience working on public policy issues related to disinformation.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, and to work or travel on weekends when necessary.
Experience working with a remote team, handling competing priorities.
Additionally, we’d love it if you have:

Experience working in government, advocacy groups, or think tanks.
A good understanding of open source, free culture, free software, or online communities.
Familiarity with the way that US law and regulation interacts with the regulation of other countries, especially on the topics of free expression and internet law.

Additional Information

About the Wikimedia Foundation
The Wikimedia Foundation is the nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Our vision is a world in which every single human can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. We believe that everyone has the potential to contribute something to our shared knowledge, and that everyone should be able to access that knowledge freely. We host Wikipedia and the Wikimedia projects, build software experiences for reading, contributing, and sharing Wikimedia content, support the volunteer communities and partners who make Wikimedia possible, and advocate for policies that enable Wikimedia and free knowledge to thrive.

The Wikimedia Foundation is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that relies on donations. We receive donations from millions of individuals around the world, with an average donation of about $15. We also receive donations through institutional grants and gifts. The Wikimedia Foundation is a United States 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with offices in San Francisco, California, USA.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Wikimedia Foundation values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon their race, traits historically associated with race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at recruiting@wikimedia.org or +1 (415) 839-6885.